“It can be hard to distinguish between
‘normal’ menopausal symptoms and
symptoms caused by the cancer”.1
Umbrella
What may the Menopause After Cancer Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Cancer Treatments
- Chemo Brain
- Menopause
- Menopause Symptoms
Cancers
What cancers may result in treatments in menopause?
In What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women; therefore, much of the information and research about cancer and menopause relates to breast cancer. But treatment for other cancers (including childhood cancers, non-hormonal cancers and hormonal cancers) can also result in menopause”.2
Cancer Treatments
Will all cancer treatments cause menopause?
In What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment the JH elaborate on:
“Not all cancer treatments will cause menopause. Depending on the treatment, menopausal symptoms may be temporary or permanent. Other factors may influence permanent menopause, such as your age and the type of chemotherapy undertaken”.3
Medical Menopause and Surgical Menopause
What is medical menopause and surgical menopause?
In How Menopause Can Happen With Breast Cancer Treatments the (United States) Breastcancer.org elaborate on:
“Some breast cancer treatments can bring on menopause more abruptly than it would happen otherwise. Again, this is called medical menopause if it’s caused by medicines such as chemotherapy, or surgical menopause if it’s caused by removal of the ovaries. Medical menopause may be a temporary state that lasts while you’re in treatment and for some time afterwards, or it can be permanent. Surgical menopause is always permanent”.4
Menopause Symptoms
With cancer, can it be hard to distinguish what’s-what with menopausal symptoms?
The JH explain:
“It can be hard to distinguish between ‘normal’ menopausal symptoms and symptoms caused by the cancer”.5
Chemo Brain
What is chemo brain?
DotS the definition of chemo brain may vary. The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:
“Chemo brain is a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur during and after cancer treatment. Chemo brain can also be called chemo fog, cancer-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction”.6
In Chemo Brain: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic also note:
Managing Menopause
What may help managing menopause?
In Treating Menopausal Symptoms Breastcancer.org explain:

“No matter how you feel about menopause, there are things you can do to help your state of mind and the condition of your body. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress reduction are three of your most powerful tools”.8
HRT and Breast Cancer Survivors
Is systemic HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) recommended for the treatment of menopause symptoms in those with a history of breast cancer?
Not usually. On page three in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:
- “A history of breast cancer should be considered a contraindication to systemic HRT. The risk of breast cancer recurrence with HRT is higher in women with oestrogen receptor positive cancer, but women with oestrogen receptor negative breast cancer are also considered to have an increased risk of recurrence with HRT. HRT may, in exceptional cases, be offered to women with breast cancer with severe menopausal symptoms if lifestyle modifications and non-hormonal treatment options are not effective. This should be done after discussion with the woman, her menopause specialist and her breast/oncology team”.9
Health Care Provider
What if I would like help with menopause after cancer?
If you would like help with menopause after cancer, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Menopause After Cancer?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Menopause After Cancer?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
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- Breastcancer.org
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- Cancer Survivors: Managing Your Emotions After Cancer Treatment
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- Consumer Health: Life After Cancer
- Coping With Cancer
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- Early Menopause Due To Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
- Earlymenopause.org.nz [New Zealand Early Menopause Support Group]
- Foundation for Women’s Cancer [United States]
- HRT: Benefits and Risks
- Healthy Living After Cancer
- Help! I’m Too Tired To Exercise
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
- How Menopause Can Happen With Breast Cancer Treatments
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause]
- Learning To Cope With Hot Flashes
- Life After Cancer
- Living Well After Cancer Treatment
- Long-Term Health Concerns After Menopause
- Looking After Yourself
- Managing Hot Flashes Naturally
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
- Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Cancer Survivorship Needs Are Unique for Each Survivor [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic]
- Menopausal Grieving, Depression, and Mood Changes
- Menopausal Symptoms and Hormonal Therapies
- Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Menopause Medication Tracker
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- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Relaxation Techniques
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
- Menopause Mindfulness: Understanding the Many Paths To Menopause
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 3. The Risks & Benefits of HRT
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Lifestyle Tips for Menopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
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- Menopause Symptoms: Hot Flashes
- Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
- Menopause and HRT
- Menopause and Menopausal Symptoms
- Menopause – Multilingual Fact Sheets
- Mybreastcancercoach.org [My Breast Cancer Coach, United States]
- National Cancer Survivors Day [June 4 2023, United States]
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cancer In Depth
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
- National LGBT Cancer Network
- Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
- Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
- Preparing for and Dealing With Hot Flashes
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- Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
- Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
- Video Series-2023: Lifestyle Modification and Prevention of Breast Cancer
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Bone Health What Why and How
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: How Do I Deal With the Menopause After A Diagnosis of Gynaecological Cancer
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: How To Protect Your Brain Health At Menopause and Beyond
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: What Women Should Know About Menopause and Brain Fog
- Webinars: Previous – Breast Cancer
- Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
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- What Breast Cancer Survivors Need To Know About Osteoporosis
- What Can I Do To Help With Hot Flashes?
- What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment
- What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
- What Women Need To Know About Breast Cancer and Heart Disease [+ Video: What Does Heart Disease Have To Do With Breast Cancer?
- Who Gets Hot Flashes and When?
- Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment. Last Updated: 27 March 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause#menopause-due-to-cancer-treatment Accessed: 03 April 2023
- What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment. Last Updated: 27 March 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause#menopause-due-to-cancer-treatment Accessed: 03 April 2023
- What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment. Last Updated: 27 March 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause#menopause-due-to-cancer-treatment Accessed: 03 April 2023
- How Menopause Can Happen With Breast Cancer Treatments. Last Updated on 30 June 2022. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/tips/menopausal/types/treatment-induced Accessed: 03 April 2023
- What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer Treatment: Menopausal Symptoms Related To Cancer Treatment. Last Updated: 27 March 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause#menopause-due-to-cancer-treatment Accessed: 03 April 2023
- Chemo Brain: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 09 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/symptoms-causes/syc-20351060 Accessed: 03 April 2023
- Chemo Brain: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 09 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/symptoms-causes/syc-20351060 Accessed: 03 April 2023
- Treating Menopausal Symptoms. Last Updated on: 30 June 2022. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment-side-effects/menopause/treating-symptoms Accessed: 03 April 2023
- Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:3-4. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 03 April 2023